I have 2 serpae tetras and 1 longfin blackskirt tetra in a 10 gallon. One of the serpaes keeps chasing the blackskirt around, to the point where the blackskirt is beginning to look stressed. (Nitrites are also high so that is stressing him as well, I do water changes to keem them down.) But with the serpaes chasing him the blackskirt just goes to the back right corner of the tank and sits near the filter intake. Is there anything I can do to stop this? Maybe he needs another of his kind? Please help, I don't want to lose a fish.
Fish getting stressed, what to do
- Thread starter jujubee
- Start date
Yes, these fish can get pushy if not in a group or if they do not have enough room to roam.
And just to be clear, you mentioned NitrItes level. Is it nitrites or nitrates? Nitrites are found in an uncycled aquarium while nitrAtes are found in an already established (cycled) aquarium.
And just to be clear, you mentioned NitrItes level. Is it nitrites or nitrates? Nitrites are found in an uncycled aquarium while nitrAtes are found in an already established (cycled) aquarium.
they are nitrites, my fishy cycle is not complete, which is why I am VERY hesitant to add a fish. But on the other hand I don't want to loose the blackfin due to the serpaes chasing him around.
Well the good news is if you are seeing a nitrite level that means that your aquarium is almost cycled. The hard part is almost over. 
And I wouldn't add anymore fish until this tank cycles. They could be acting like this because of the high nitrites.
And I wouldn't add anymore fish until this tank cycles. They could be acting like this because of the high nitrites.
fishy perspective
They are hoping to make the odd fish leave, the bad water is obviously his fault!
You ought to have about 6 of the serpae tetras, eventually. Maybe just take the blackskirt back.
They are hoping to make the odd fish leave, the bad water is obviously his fault!
You ought to have about 6 of the serpae tetras, eventually. Maybe just take the blackskirt back.
These fish will be going into a 46 gallon tank just as soon as the fishless cycle is done. Then I will be getting more serpaes. I had gotten all these fish before I really knew much about them. Now that I am learing I know I need more, but I can't really put more in my 10 gallon, especially since its not done cycling. 